Who's in the play bill?

My wife was giving me a hard time yesterday, so I told her she was no longer in the play. She said she wasn't in a play. I said, you got it, sister!

There is something that's awesome about performing live. That's why we see movie stars go to Broadway. The thrill of performing without a net can be very fulfilling. It also helps to reassure the performer that they can actually act and not just play to the camera.

Anthony Hopkins was asked once why he continues to make movies. He said it was the money. The interviewer laughed and asked the same question, expecting a very deep answer. Hopkins told him again that he did it for the money. It was probably the most honest answer an actor has ever given.

Actors are a strange breed. Many of them were the bullied drama geeks in high school. I think it's rather ironic that when the same person becomes famous for doing the same thing as an adult, we idolize them. There is something so cool about being tangled up in the life of a famous person, at least that's what we feel. If we can tie ourselves to the celebrity, it somehow makes us special.

It's probably something most of us have done, including me. When I was younger, one of my friends made it to the majors in baseball. He went on to be an eight time all star. My brother Jim and I were the closest to him among our family members, but my father used to tell people that this guy was always at our house. I don't think he ever stepped inside our house, but it somehow made my father feel good.

I have bragged about working with certain celebrities. I thought it made people feel like I was more special, and you know what? It did! The thought that your buddy was hanging out with Billy Crystal (see? I did it again) can be pretty cool to some people.

The one thing I have learned about celebrated people is that they are just like you and me. People are amazed when some of these folks go off the deep end and get in trouble, sometimes serious trouble. We think that their lives are perfect because of fame and fortune. I think we need to remember that people are just people, celebrated or not.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I see Barbara Streisand and I want to get her autograph.

See you tomorrow.